Footage from an early build of Eets developer Klei Entertainment's next project has been circulating the nets recently. The stylish brawler/platformer, titled Shank (monosyllabic titles seem to be Klei's specialty), has been wowing viewers with it's brutal gameplay and stylish, Venture Bros-esque visuals -- though many are wondering what the release platform of the title will be. An Xbox control scheme shown at the beginning of the video led many to assume the title would be coming to XBLA -- however, this isn't exactly confirmed.
In an email, Klei Entertainment's Jamie Cheng explained, "The platform is currently not set in stone, but I suppose you could make an educated guess based on past experience. Even I honestly don't know 100%." Our guess, which is alarmingly educated, is that it will land on both XBLA and PC. While we wait to find out, we highly suggest checking out the aforementioned Shank footage, which we've posted after the break.
Looks kind of cool but not all that great, honestly. I guess it would depend on the price but it seems like all the new XBLA and PSN games are $10 instead of $5 now. It's really annoying that $10 is the new $5 because I would love to buy most of these new downloadable games but can't justify $10 on every downloadable game.
Oh yeah ... If I had to compare this to say Trine I would say Trine is looking better at this point. Both look pretty fun, though. I like this games art style better but I like the gameplay mechanics oif Trine better.
I don't know why, but I misread Shank as Crank. And for a split second, I was excited at the idea of a Crank video game. I would love to play as a digitized Jason Statham wrecking the shit out of everyone and everything.
Is Jason Statham that british sounding guy that was in Snatch?
If it's who I am thinking of he has really fallen off lately with all the absurd over-the-top high action/shaky camera movies. The new one where his heart will explode (or something like that) is one of those movies that looks so bad it's good.
Just wonderinf if thats the same guy I'm thinking of ... Don't feel like looking it up.
Also it can't be a "so bad it's good" kind of film if the absurdity of the plot is done on purpose and it's evidence from the start of the film that it's not taking itself very seriously.
I like Eets, and I like the art style, and this type of game, but ... man, I hope this is REALLY early footage. Sorry, but it just doesn't look fun. Too bad, because I would like a great game where you play as Brock from Venture Bros (which is what this is, let's keep it real).
Could definitely do with more games like this on XBLA. Been too much garbage lately, and mostly ports. Not that I'm complaining about stuff like Banjo-Tooie, but I'd still like some more original stuff.
Looks good and apparently they said "to hell with people who complain about too much brown in games". Since this is supposed to show off the character's move, I think it does a pretty good job.
It plays on all kinds of stereotypes (burly guy and all) and as definitely a Tarantinesque vibe with the background music and the sound effect of the slashes, but hey, even if it's been overplayed a thousand times before, it seems like I can still like it for some reasons that I can't explain.
Verdict: It has my vote. Please, do publish on XBLA.
And personally, I don't mind the 10$ on average per game, this is exactly where my own psychological limit is for those good downloadable games (plus the fact that I can try them out for free before-hand prevents me from buying crap).
There already is a game named Shank and I believe it's owned by Art Institute of Phoenix. A group of students made it for Siggraph about 2 years ago. When those students formed their own company and went to go start making the game into a full title they got a cease and desist from AIPX because it was technically somehow their funded project. I don't fully understand it though.
I'm liking the art style, and the ability to climb vertical surfaces.
My only criticism (from the video) is the combat. He seemed to only have the one move/combo. That might have been down to the player though. Who knows.
one word, one syllable game titles always sound funny to me. Shank, Braid, Trine, etc. that has zero effect on the actual game itself but it just sounds funny to me for some reason.
